Sworn translations: what you need to know about how the authorities authorizing translators

In the vast translation field, the fact that sworn translators are officially authorized is a key element in guaranteeing the accuracy and authenticityof documents they translate.

This authorization process is essential to certify that a translator has all the skills required to deliver translations that are not just true and correct representations of the original document but also legally valid and recognized in several countries.

This guide will help you learn in detail about the procedure through which the authorities authorize sworn translators to produce sworn translations and its consequences for said translators and their clients.

What is an authorization to produce sworn translations?

An authorization to produce sworn or certified translations is an official certification that validates that a translator has the skills to translate and certify documents to confer them legal weight. In an ever more connected world, sworn translations have become essential to ensure the legal compliance of instruments and documents translated from one language to another.

A sworn translator is therefore a professional who received official recognition in his or her country. This authorization grants him or her the right to certify his or her translations as a true and correct copy of the original document. Consequently, translations produced by sworn translators can be used for legal procedures, which is not the case of translations produced by non-sworn translators or interpreters.

Several types of documents may require translations certified to be valid in another country. This may include vital records (birth certificates, marriage certificates, civil status documents), degrees, grade reports or even business or legal contracts.

In practice, to certify the authenticity of a document´s translation, a sworn translator must sign and stamp each page of translated documents. Stamps are a specific form of certification that only sworn translators can provide to their clients. The role of sworn translators is therefore essential in ensuring legal, business and individual communication between different legal systems and languages.

The procedure for obtaining this authorization varies based on the country and their designated authority. In France, as we will see below, the authorization process is demanding. Through this, future sworn translators must prove their perfect mastery of the source and target languages. They also must demonstrate their legal and legal procedure knowledge before being able to swear an oath before a court of appeals and thus be registered on the list of certified experts.

The procedure for becoming authorized

Becoming authorized to work as a sworn translator means meeting several criteria and completing several steps regulated by a presiding authority.

First, the requirements for becoming a sworn translator are strict and rigorous. A sworn translator candidate must demonstrate knowledge of his or her intended working language. This mastery must be demonstrated by presenting degrees, professional certificates and other forms of evidence of language training.

Also, considering the legal nature of most documents, he or she must have substantial knowledge of the law and legal terminology.

Afterwards, the authorization process has several phases. After having satisfied eligibility criteria, candidates must apply to the presiding authority (the court of appeals in the case of France). When a request is accepted, after investigating a candidate´s good character and ensuring he or she has no criminal record, the court of appeals will invite him or her to swear an oath.

By swearing an oath before a court of appeals, a translator commits to respect the profession´s norms and regulations which involve accuracy in translations and a respect for the confidentiality of the document contents.

The role of the court of appeals is therefore crucial for verifying the skills of sworn translators and maintaining their registration on the list of official legal experts which includes translators. It is important to note that authorizations are not permanent. Generally, sworn translators are routinely evaluated every year.

This procedure may seem complex, but its rigor provides a necessary guarantee that translations will be of the highest quality. This requirement is in place due to the importance of the translated documents. Some may be used before a foreign court or in immigration procedures.

The impact of authorization on official document translations

The authorization to produce sworn translations plays a fundamental role in official document translations. It grants translators a recognized authority that directly impacts the legal validity of translated documents and how they are accepted by official authorities in France or abroad.

Official documents, such as birth certificates, degrees or legal documents often require a certified translation to be recognized abroad. This is where sworn translators come into play. Thanks to their authorization, they can provide official translations, also called certified translations, which are delivered with affidavits of accuracy. This affidavit, which consists of a stamp placed on the translation, certifies that the translation is a true and correct copy of the original document to the minutest detail (text and non-text elements) and that was produced by an authorized expert.

Authorization thus has a direct and significant impact. Without this, translators cannot certify their translations which, in turn, will not be recognized by legal or administrative authorities including the court of appeals in France or equivalent institutions abroad. Also, authorization grants translators a professional recognition which reinforces their credibility and reputation. Due to its rigor and stringent requirements, the authorization procedure guarantees that only the most skilled and qualified translators can become sworn translators.

Additionally, authorization facilitates the translation procedure for clients. When a document is translated by a sworn translator, it is generally not necessary to revalidate it with administrative or legal authorities. This can facilitate and accelerate your administrative procedures.